Industry News
Hancock Lumber Welcomes Andy Carberry As Salisbury General Manager
Andy Carberry
Hancock Lumber, headquartered in Casco, ME, recently welcomed Andy Carberry as the general manager of their Salisbury, MA, location. Carberry has spent 41 years in the industry—in virtually every position—from load builder, operations, lumberyard design, and general manager. For the past 16 years, Carberry was the general manager of Middleton Building Supply in Hampton, NH.
Following Hancock Lumber’s June 2025 acquisition of Johnson Lumber and the former owner’s transition to retirement, the Salisbury general manager role became available. The acquisition marked Hancock Lumber’s first lumberyard in Massachusetts and its 12th overall—a prime location just two miles from the coast and minutes away from I-95 and I-495.
Chief Operating Officer, Mark Hopkins, commented on the latest general manager addition, “We are excited to welcome Andy Carberry to our team as general manager of our Salisbury location. Andy brings over four decades of industry experience, deep operational knowledge, and a proven track record of leadership. His passion for building strong teams and delivering exceptional customer experiences aligns perfectly with Hancock Lumber’s culture and values. As we continue to grow in Massachusetts, Andy’s leadership will be instrumental in building and strengthening relationships with our employees, customers and community.”
“I first noticed Hancock Lumber when I read an article about their commitment to their people and the culture that they were building to support them. It was an interesting philosophy that seemed very parallel to my management style, so I took the next step and reached out. After several meetings I realized that Hancock would be a great fit and would provide me with an opportunity to further develop my career and my personal growth,” stated Carberry.
“My first two weeks with the company instantly showed me their level of commitment to both employees’ and customers’ success. The multi-layer support system for all positions is incredible and allows people to perform at the highest level. This was very visible in the staff as I toured multiple locations. I am very happy to have the opportunity to work for such an incredible organization and look forward to becoming an intricate part of the team,” continued Carberry.
For more details, visit hancocklumber.com.
RoyOMartin Introduces TuffStrand-WRB™
Tape-and-panel combo installs faster and replaces traditional house wrap
RoyOMartin’s TuffStrand-WRB™ is designed for applications requiring a structural panel, ideally suited for exterior walls.
RoyOMartin recently unveiled a new line for its popular TuffStrand™ line of oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing products. TuffStrand Weather Resistant Barrier™ (TuffStrand-WRB™) is a structural OSB panel with a factory-applied weather-resistant barrier, intended for applications requiring a structural panel and ideally suited for exterior walls.
Designed for use with special seam tape, TuffStrand-WRB™ installs faster and eliminates the need for traditional house wrap. Rather than applying a separate house wrap, builders can reduce labor time and cost by installing this system. Additionally, it is available in 8-feet and extended lengths to save more time and money.
“With Tuffstrand WRB™, customers will get a distinctive cover that stands out from all the rest,” stated RoyOMartin President and Chief Operating Officer E. Scott Poole. “Customers get the benefit of a protective wrap without having the cost of the material or the time it takes to apply. By producing this product, RoyOMartin is enabling builders to work more efficiently while maintaining the quality and reliability they expect from our products.”
In wall applications, Tuffstrand WRB™ panels install with the foil or weather-resistant barrier facing outward. Seams and corners are taped with a multi-purpose acrylic tape that provides a consistent seal and durable, long-lasting results. The tape’s superior acrylic compound and intertwined fibers combine to create a durable bond.
TuffStrand-WRB™ is engineered for performance, safety and efficiency, ensuring that RoyOMartin delivers a product that not only meets the needs of today’s construction industry but also showcases the craftsmanship of their team members.
“As with all RoyOMartin products, we maintain the highest level of quality in both production and handling. Every panel we make reflects on our craftsmanship and reputation in the industry,” stated Poole.
Learn more about TuffStrand-WRB™ on the company’s website: royomartin.com/product/tuffstrand-wrb/.
RoyOMartin is the trade name of a group of forestry-related and wood-products manufacturing companies based in Alexandria, LA. The company operates manufacturing facilities that employ approximately 1,400 in Oakdale, LA, in Chopin, LA, and Corrigan, TX.
For more information, visit royomartin.com.
Paul Burnham Returns To Warren Trask
Paul Burnham
Paul Burnham recently returned to Lakeville, MA-based, Warren Trask Company as the general manager to oversee the purchasing department, including the departments inside staff. He also works closely with Mike Miller, the company president and the sales team. Burnham has been responsible for the new line of clear vertical grain Western Red Cedar, which is sourced from Pacific Western Wood Works.
In addition to Western Red Cedar, Warren Trask handles close to 10 million board feet annually in species such as Douglas Fir, Sugar Pine, Radiata Pine, mahogany, ipe, red balau and dark red meranti. They also work with Accoya. They stock a variety of thicknesses including 1×4 to 1×12, 2×4 to 2×8 and 5/4 to 8/4.
Warren Trask offers both S4S and S1S2E Cedar boards in 4/4, 5/4, and 8/4. Burnham said they “stock little heavier on the S1S2E” and their “4/4 and 5/4 are complemented by the 2 x S4S. We do a 1×6 V-Groove pattern which is the standard around here, nickel gap and beveled siding – the beveled siding is probably the largest skew in the Northeast for Cedar.”
Their end user customers use the products for decking, paneling, trim, mantles and more.
Burnham spent over 18 years total with Warren Trask but took a hiatus before recently returning.
At the University of Rhode Island, he majored in business management.
Burnham enjoys spending time with his wife Kate and daughters Reese and Maeve. Burnham’s hobbies include building, remodeling and golf.
Visit wtrask.com for more information.
Collins Appoints Brad Blickle As Chief Financial Officer
Collins Pine Company, headquartered in Wilsonville, OR, recently announced the appointment of Brad Blickle as chief financial officer. Blickle brings extensive experience in finance, including leadership roles at Lovett Inc. and Oregon Fruit Products LLC., where he drove strategic growth, operational efficiency, and acquisition integration.
“Brad’s financial expertise and outstanding leadership qualities are a great addition to our executive team,” said Tom Insko, president and CEO. “His experience will be instrumental as we scale responsibly and invest across our operations.”
Based in Oregon and family-owned since 1855, Collins produces softwood and hardwood products. Collins upholds their long-standing commitment to land and resource stewardship with more than 370,000 acres of FSC-certified forest lands, three manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and one retail yard in California. Divisions are located in Chester, CA, Kane, PA, and Lakeview, OR. For more information, please visit CollinsCo.com.
Specialty Building Products Acquires OrePac Building Products
Specialty Building Products, LLC (“SBP”), a leading distributor of specialty building products with locations in Duluth, GA, recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire OrePac Building Products (“OrePac”), a premier regional distributor of specialty building materials. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1977, OrePac is a second-generation, family-run distributor of high-quality building materials serving customers from 13 locations across the Western United States. This transaction significantly expands SBP’s diverse product offering and geographic footprint, further advancing its long-term strategy of investing in high-performing, complementary businesses.
“We are excited to welcome one of North America’s leading specialty distributors to the SBP family,” said Jeff McLendon, president and CEO of Specialty Building Products. “OrePac and its team share our unrelenting focus on customer success, building and maintaining strong relationships and sustaining operational excellence. OrePac’s legacy of leadership and service aligns seamlessly with SBP’s vision of championing customer success from the core of the specialty building products value chain.”
“After nearly 50 years as a family business, this moment is both emotional and exciting for OrePac,” said Brad Hart, president and CEO of OrePac. “We are proud to join forces with SBP, whose scale and expertise will help carry forward our legacy while honoring the values our family has built since 1977.”
“This partnership ensures that our employees, customers, and communities will continue to benefit from OrePac’s exceptional dedication and support, while also opening the door to new opportunities for growth and success,” added Glenn Hart, founder and chairman of OrePac.
The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Following the transaction, OrePac, headquartered in Wilsonville, OR, will continue operating under its current brand name, with its geographic locations, management team, and employees remaining in place, led by Senior VPs Darin Coder and Kris Schroeder.
Specialty Building Products is at the core of the value chain for high value specialty building materials. SBP provides sales, marketing, manufacturing, assembly, customization, finishing and logistics solutions that bring a wide range of high value, SKU-intensive, and logistically complicated specialty building products to dealers serving the repair and remodel (R&R) and new construction marketplaces.
Visit specialtybuildingproducts.com for more information.
LMC Powers Dealers Announces The LMC DataYard
Paul Ryan
LMC, based in Wayne, PA, with support from content partner Unilog, recently announced the launch of the LMC DataYard, a specialized digital catalog created to address the unique product content challenges facing independent dealers. According to LMC, this dynamic solution empowers dealers to improve the consistency, depth, and delivery of product data across digital platforms. LMC’s DataYard supplies the foundation LMC dealers need to stay competitive and digitally connected to their customers.
Digital tools like ecommerce, texting product information, and online account management empower customers to find what they need on their own. This frees up sales teams to focus on what they do best, offering helpful advice, personal support, and expert insights. Dealers who are investing in digital sales tools can meet their customers where they are: online, on the jobsite and after hours.
These digital tools are only as helpful as the product data they are displaying. By providing accurate, consistent product information and images, the LMC DataYard helps bring the excellence of a dealer’s business into the digital experience, according to an LMC statement.
LMC, according to the organization, is driven to keep its members’ businesses strong and their yards competitive—online, on the jobsite and beyond. With DataYard, LMC reinforces its mission to bring independent dealers the tools that matter most. LMC’s CEO and President Paul Ryan noted, “LMC exists to serve our dealers, and every decision we make reflects that. The launch of LMC DataYard is a key step in helping our members stay competitive. It’s a powerful tool designed to support independents in making smarter decisions, faster. Embracing the DataYard will help secure long-term success in a fast-changing market.”
LMC, a dealer-owned cooperative, has been serving independent lumber and building material dealers since 1935. In addition to their core dealer base, they’ve long supported component manufacturers and have expanded to serve millwork shops, gypsum specialists, commercial packaging companies, and post-frame building manufacturers, and most recently adding modular manufacturers.
Learn more at lmc.net or follow LMC on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
Boise Cascade Surpasses Fundraising Goal For St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Jeff Strom
Boise, ID-based, Boise Cascade Company (Boise Cascade) (NYSE: BCC) recently announced the results of its companywide philanthropic campaign benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The company raised $423,128.56, surpassing its original goal by over $150,000.
The month-long campaign was marked by grassroots efforts across Boise Cascade’s 60-plus locations in the U.S. and Canada. Every dollar raised will support the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children. ®
“Our people showed up in the most incredible way and I am proud beyond words,” said Jeff Strom, Boise Cascade’s chief operating officer. “This isn’t just a fundraising campaign; it is a reflection of who we are. I am deeply grateful and moved by the outpouring of support from our associates, vendors, suppliers and customers who gave from their own pocketbooks to support this campaign and help us do something truly extraordinary together.”
This campaign aligns with Boise Cascade’s longstanding commitment to community involvement and investing in nonprofit organizations that align with its values and help people and communities thrive. St. Jude was selected for a focused campaign after several members of the company’s leadership team were introduced to the story of Carson Elizabeth. Carson, a St. Jude patient who passed away due to cancer when she was nine years old, is the daughter of one of Boise Cascade’s customers.
“Boise Cascade’s generosity is a powerful example of what happens when a company and its customers come together with purpose,” said Steve Froehlich, chief revenue officer at the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “While treatments developed at St. Jude have helped raise the survival rate for childhood cancer in the U.S. to more than 80 percent, we know there’s still a lot of work to be done. We are immensely grateful to Boise Cascade for honoring Carson and her family’s journey and partnering with us in the ongoing effort to make more cures possible for kids with cancer.”
This is the second consecutive year Boise Cascade has led a companywide campaign to support St. Jude, bringing the company’s total contributions to more than $675,000. Every dollar the company raises for St. Jude is in honor of Carson Elizabeth.
Boise Cascade is one of the largest producers of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of building products. For more information, visit the company’s website at bc.com.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a leader in the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.
McDonough Installs New OptiFit Edger At Gates Milling
Kelsey Kennedy
McDonough Manufacturing Company, located in Eau Claire, WI, (41,000 square-feet) and Woodstock, NB, Canada, recently sold a McDonough OptiFit Edger to Gatesville, NC-headquartered, Gates Milling. The edger was installed and is operational.
This new edger is “fast, efficient, precise and easy to operate. It edges based upon value as opposed to yield,” noted Kelsey Kennedy, COO of Gates Milling. “Our customers receive the benefit of better delivery times due to our ability to both produce more efficiently and quickly adjust based on market conditions. Concurrently, our end product is superior because the lumber produced is of the highest manufacturing quality.”
Matt Tietz
“Partnering with Gates Milling is a natural fit for us. As another family-owned and operated company, they share our commitment to craftsmanship, reliability and long-term thinking. We are happy and excited to work together, and we look forward to a valued relationship and to watching their continued success,” stated Matt Tietz, owner of McDonough Manufacturing and BID Canada Ltd.
In addition to edgers, McDonough manufactures other sawmill and bulk handling equipment such as: resaws, band mills, gangs, carriages and other material handling equipment.
McDonough OptiFit Edger in operation at Gates Milling
McDonough was founded in 1888 and “set an early standard in sawmill equipment by advancing precision, recovery and uptime,” stated Jenna Kennedy with McDonough Manufacturing. In 1989, the company moved their headquarters to the Eau Claire, WI, facility to bring their “machining, fabrication, assembly and full load testing under one roof,” added Tietz.
In 2017, the company expanded into Canada to build edgers and material handling equipment. By 2023, McDonough acquired BID Canada Ltd., adding a large New Brunswick facility for heavy fabrication and bulk handling projects. “Today, with an engineering office in Fredericton, NB, and manufacturing in Eau Claire and Woodstock, McDonough designs, builds, and tests complete systems end to end, with rugged construction, smart controls, easy maintenance and measurable production gains,” stated Tietz.
For more information, visit mcdonough-mfg.com.
MiCROTEC Acquired By Clessida Private Entity
Clessidra Private Equity SGR – one of the largest Italian private equity firms focused on the upper-mid market and part of Clessidra Group, a leading alternative investment operator in Italy – recently announced the acquisition of MiCROTEC from the Austrian GSS GmbH. Federico Giudiceandrea, founder and Chairman at MiCROTEC, will retain his stake in the company and continue his involvement in the company’s R&D strategy, shepherding the business through its next wave of innovation.
Since its foundation, MiCROTEC has secured its competitive edge thanks to a complete in-house development – conducted by a skilled team composed of more than 150 engineers – of all relevant key components and software solutions.
MiCROTEC has established long-standing relationships with global top-tier sawmills and food players, and the business is well-positioned to continue its historical growth trend recording today around Euro 100 million of revenues, with around 95 percent in exports.
MiCROTEC, headquartered in Brixen, Italy, has direct presence in Italy, North America, Sweden, Finland and Germany and employs approximately 450 people across the world.
The investment in MiCROTEC represents the seventh transaction of Clessidra Capital Partners 4 and will support management’s ambitious growth plans building upon MiCROTEC’s momentum.
Alongside Clessidra, other investors in the transaction include: Italmobiliare, ISA-Istituto Atesino di Sviluppo, Botzen Invest Euregio Finance, 035 Investimenti, BNP Paribas BNL Equity Investments and Narval Investimenti.
Visit microtec.com for more details.
Ken Hatcher Joins Brunette Machinery
Ken Hatcher
Ken Hatcher recently joined Brunette Machinery’s team as their U.S. capital sales representative.
Brunette Machinery has extensive experience in equipment manufacturing and has been a premium supplier to the North American forestry industry for more than 80 years.
First incorporated in 1942, the company began as a repair and specialty machine manufacturer for shingles, grooving, sawmill and veneer plywood applications.
Today, Brunette Machinery manufactures and supplies a variety of branded sawmill equipment, including the Brunette Whole Log Micro Chipper, Brunette Drum Chipper, Brunette Reclaimer, Brunette BioSizer®, Brunette E-Sweeps, Brunette Flare Butt Reducer, CBI Grizzly Mill Hog, Brunette Uni-Log Feeder, Brunette Horizontal Chipper and the Brunette RTL® Log Singulator®.
Hatcher grew up in Georgia and spent much of his life there. He attended South Cobb High School in Austell. Directly after graduation, Hatcher enlisted in the US Army 7th infantry division, where he spent three years.
Hatcher has been working in the U.S. lumber industry for over 30 years. He started his career in forestry equipment manufacturing in parts and shop work then quickly moved to service and capital sales. In more than three decades,
Hatcher has gained invaluable experience in the industry while also building up a large network of friends and colleagues. “His vast experience, connections in the industry and his friendly, open personality make him a great fit for the Brunette Machinery family,” stated a Brunette Machinery company representative.
Currently, he is living in Alabama with his wife. He noted that his new address puts him central to many lumber producing locations.
In his spare time, Hatcher enjoys all forms of art including painting, writing and performing music as well as experimenting with any creative digital platform he finds online. When he isn’t creating art or music, Hatcher loves to play on the water with his 50+ nieces and nephews.
For more details, visit brunettemc.com.
Combilift: 13 Years Of Excellence
Combilift’s team receiving the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade by Deloitte.
Combilift, based in Monaghan, Ireland, was recently recognized once again as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte, marking their 13th consecutive year receiving this prestigious accolade.
This recognition is not only a reflection of Combilift’s consistent year-on-year growth, but also highlights its ongoing commitment to innovation, operational excellence and strategic vision. The rigorous requalification process assesses companies across four key pillars: strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, and governance and financials. “Requalifying means continuously proving their ability to lead in each of these areas in a dynamic global market,” noted a Combilift company representative.
“The renowned Deloitte international brand Best Managed Companies program sets a high benchmark, and requalifying for the 13th time reinforces our position as a serious global business,” said Combilift co-founder Martin McVicar. “While we’re known for manufacturing innovative world-class material handling solutions, this recognition also speaks to how we run our business — from our lean operations and customer-focused R&D to our world-class production facility in Monaghan.”
This accolade strengthens Combilift’s brand not just as an industry leader in materials handling equipment, but as a model for sustainable growth and management on the global stage.
Combilift is the largest global manufacturer of multi-directional, side-loading and articulated forklifts and a leader in heavy goods handling. Operating in over 85 countries, Combilift designs and builds off-the-shelf and customized material handling equipment that maximizes space, safety and efficiency.
For more information, visit combilift.com/en-us.
